Student of the monthTylan Rudger 6th grade KMS Tylan Rudger has been selected as the second quarter, 6th-grade recipient of the Elks Award for his outstanding character and strong work ethic at school. Tylan’s teachers at Kodiak Middle School would like to recognize this amazing young man for his hard work and positive attitude. Tylan says his favorite subject is math because he loves to challenge his mind and make it stronger. His e...

West Valley girls take over top spot in stateFor the third straight week a new 4A girls team appeared at the top of the Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches poll. The West Valley Wolfpack replaced Dimond as the state’s No. 1 ranked team in this week’s poll. The Lynx fell to second. Junior Ruthy Hebard has led West Valley to a 7-0 record. Earlier this season, she scored her 1,000th career point in a game against Palmer. Dimond (10-2) has yet to lose to a ...

Beware of China-made dog treatsOso and Moby were brothers/littermates; were 11 1/2 years old, white Alaskan huskies. They were our kids, our family. Healthy, happy boys who were much loved. The story that unfolds is a bad dream-turned-nightmare. The heartache, pain, numbness, and emptiness is still unbearable. The healing will be a very long process. In the dark early hours of last Tuesday, Jan. 13, my husband saw the dead body of Oso. He had l...

The demise of Scotch Cap lighthouseIn spring of 1946, five men stationed at the Scotch Cap lighthouse had reasons to be happy. World War II was over. They had survived. Their lonely Coast Guard assignment on Unimak Island would be over in a few months. But the lighthouse tenders would never return to their homes in the Lower 48. In the early morning of April 1, the earth ruptured deep within the Aleutian Trench 90 miles south. An immense block of o...

UNDER INVESTIGATION: Troopers probe allegations of multiple physical abuse at St. Innocent’s AcademyThe Alaska State Troopers has launched an investigation into allegations of physical abuse that a dozen former students allege to have taken place through the years at the St. Innocent’s Academy in Kodiak, officials said Tuesday. Sgt. Eric Olsen, Alaska State Troopers’ Kodiak post supervisor, said the state’s police agency “has been made aware of the allegations” and troopers are currently investigating. “We are a...

KIBSD superintendent has optimistic view of next year’s budgetThe Kodiak Island Borough School District could see up to a five percent cut in funding from the state, and the borough likely can’t make up the difference, but superintendent Stewart McDonald thinks the district is in good shape regardless. “We feel 100 percent certain that no matter how the budget goes this year that between funds we currently have, staffing formulas that we currently have, we may see a conversa...